Do you think schools should require uniforms?
Vanessa, I'm sorry but that's a terrible take on the subject. If you don't want to spend money on the latest trends for your children, then say "no." Anyways, this issue has been one that has been debated for a long time. I believe that schools in lower-class areas should for those reasons, where gang violence is common. However, uniforms are cramping to kids, because they do not allow for the kids to express themselves. This may not seem like a big deal until you look at it from a psychiatric point of view. If the kids do not get an opportunity to express themselves, then they will keep emotions bottled up, which could cause even more emotional pain and outbursts. For example, if a child just recently had a family member pass away, and wanted to wear that family member's favorite color to school, then they would feel more content about the passing and learn to accept it better. However, if they did not get that chance to express their feelings in that sort of way, then if anyone ever poked fun about that family member, a violent charge would be sure to occur. Children don't like to share their feelings and talk all the time, but bottling up feelings is unhealthy. Therefore, they subconsciously express themselves in their clothing, by either color, style, brand etc. to help let some of their feelings out, in a way where they wouldn't have to interact. But if that opportunity were taken away, they would have no way to express themselves; especially if they are antisocial, which is unhealthy for anybody. Also, think about it. Even if clothing was all the same, the cruelty of children is relentless; and therefore they would find other ways to make fun of other children other than their clothing. I have experienced this first-hand, by attending both schools requiring a uniform and schools allowing freedom of expression, and either way, the bullying is still the same. People make fun of you just for the sake of it, they don't care at all about your clothing, they just found an excuse to make fun of you. If clothing isn't an option, then there is always hair, skin, personality, and a million other things. And if everyone was the same to prevent this, then what would happen to individuality in our society?
Why don't American Schools have uniforms?
Yes they do. Well some do. The schools I went to growing up as a kid all made me wear a uniform as part of their dress code. Not all schools do this because they believe in freedom of speech so they let the students wear or dress as they please but there will always be those schools who make it a policy to wear uniforms. Since I have never been to Canada or Mexico I cannot says if it is the same for them. I can only speak for what I know here in the US.
Do you think public schools should require uniforms for all students?
I teach at a public school district where uniforms are worn in most of our schools. Only 1-2 schools out of 17 in our district do not have uniforms. Those schools have a lot more trouble with gang activities, because it is more difficult to recognize who belongs at school and who does not. Also, gang colors can be worn at those schools, so there is more trouble because of this. Uniforms are a good idea, especially if they are "normal" clothes, and not something too outlandish. "Catholic school plaid" would not work in most public arena. However, Khaki, black or navy blue, usually with white or gray are good, neutral colors. Parents can't complain too much about having to buy these sorts of clothes because they can be gotten just about anywhere where children's clothes are sold. Collared shirts are also easy and inexpensive to obtain. We do have some trouble with kids breaking the uniform rules, but on a whole, as long as the administration is willing to enforce the uniform rule, it does work. The reasons for uniforms are many: safety of the students, anti-gang clothing, recognition of student body, having properly covered body parts, etc. I, as a teacher, am in favor or uniforms and enforce it in my class.
How many schools don't require the wearing of uniforms?
In Estonia, only a small minority of schools have uniforms. Usually the uniforms are only in the primary section of the school and older students don’t have to wear anything other than what they prefer. Some schools may have guidelines like no visible collarbone or so on.When I was in primary school, the school had no uniform either, so everybody wore what they wanted. I know that the one school I work at currently has polo shirts and pullovers in 2–3 colors with the school logo to choose from, and the second school is currently in the process of developing its uniform, again, for the primary school students. The uniforms, as far as I know, are voluntary, so no parent is forced to buy any items they can’t or don’t want to afford.I’m aware that some schools do have uniforms, but they’re such a small minority that I personally don’t know anyone that’s attended one. It’s highly likely that most of these schools are either elite schools or private schools, but there are elite schools who require no uniform, too, so one has the freedom to choose one that they prefer.
Should Schools have Uniforms?
It depends on the school. Some schools in our area do and some don't. Private schools do and so do the inner city schools. Private schools probably just to give the appearance of school pride, and to make the parents feel like they are sending their children to a "better" school and are getting their money's worth - I don't really know the reason for uniforms in private school, I just made that up. But in the inner city schools they did it to deter violence against other students. Either so they can't wear their gang colors or so they don't get robbed because someone wants their jacket. Sometimes wearing uniforms can literally be a life saver as strange as that sounds. It also keeps the kids more focused on their studies instead of their clothes. It isn't any cheaper to wear uniforms though. Then parents have to buy "school clothes" and after school clothes, since most kids don't wear their uniforms as every day clothes. Should they be mandatory? To me that depends. If there is a lot of violence, gang activity, or theft, then it may help stifle some of the problems, but not all of them. Uniforms or not, people will find a way to express their individuality and sometimes there will be clashes because of it.
Do you think that UK schools are too strict on uniforms?
No, I like uniform because it's easy to choose what to wear (because I don't). And if you're going to have a uniform, you have to enforce it otherwise the school will be displaying its chavviness and drop a few Ofsted points.
Why don't public high schools in the US require uniforms?
I live in a very big city. Long Beach, California. Every school, elementary, middle, and high school has required uniforms for over a decade. As a parent I have a love/hate relationship with uniforms. As a kid, I would have just hated it.Why doesn't every city do the same as my city? I think it's just not that important to smaller cities. In my city, there are gangs, and the uniform policy grew out of the desire to minimize gang activity on the campuses. Since it would be royally unfair to just require uniforms in the schools in “bad” neighborhoods, they applied the policy to all schools in the district. This is not a problem that some quiet town in the center of the country would have.I like that there is never a question of what my kids should wear to school on whatever day. On the one free dress day a month they get in elementary school, I see the campus full of color and it reminds me of my own childhood. That individuality you could have. My daughter with her frilly pink dress, my son in jeans with his Minecraft shirt.. it's the one day a month they look like little kids, not a faceless mass of navy blue bottoms and white or navy blue tops.Do I think every school should have uniforms everywhere in the country? No. Do I understand why my kids schools have uniforms? Yes. Do I wish that they didn't have to wear uniforms? Kinda.It's cheaper to dress them in uniforms. They can be found online for pretty cheap. $15 for a pair of pants. A pair of jeans? $50. So yes, I'm saving money by not buying the latest fashions. I have 3 boys so I also have a nice hand me down uniform selection.Oh but to see the kids being kids in their bright colors and looking like my childhood memories of school… I do miss that.
Do school students in America wear school uniforms?
It depends on what kind of school you go to. I personally go to a public school and we do not have to wear uniforms (we do have a dress code though). I also have friends that go to a private Christian school and they do have to wear a “uniform”. From what I understand the guys have to wear khaki pants and a collared shirt (not sure about the girls). Now this could vary by state and school, but from what I have witnessed personally, public schools usually do not have uniforms whereas a private school most likely will.
Do you think that all public schools should require children to wear uniforms?
I like it but then again I don't....I like it because of the reasons you stated...there will be fewer fights because of the stupid gang color BS going around lately and the shirts with crude comments and pictures on it and such....but the fact is the uniforms have gone up in price lately since a ton of schools require this dress code now,which in a certain aspect it would be cheaper to buy regular clothes instead of uniforms. I also do not like how some schools here in Indiana are going about the uniform dress code. They are as stated : White,Navy Blue,or Red dress shirts(which are 2 of the "gang" colors that started this whole thing right there),Khaki or Black dress pants or Jumpsut for girls(the dresses that go over the shirts) White or black socks,SOLID colored shoes,shirts MUST be tucked in at all times,Shoes must remain tied,and the boys MUST wear belts. I do not like this for the simple fact that my daughter will start kindergarten in a year and have ALL these Rules that she must abide by and I don't think a 5 yr old should be punished for having a shirt untucked or not having solid colored shoes or have pink on their socks...its wrong! My nephew got threatened to be suspended(he is 5 yrs old) because he didn't wear a belt and his shirt was not ALWAYS tucked in and his socks were blue instead of black...how ridiculous is that... I am all for the uniforms but this BS about the belt shoes,socks and all that is stupid for such a yojng child to abide by day in and day out...they need to loosen up a bit on that
Should all schools require students to wear uniforms?
well personally as a student i'd have to say i would hate that. but... you don't have to pick out what you want to wear every morning, you dont have to feel like crap when you want to have a lazy day. because theres nothing else to wear that day or your family can't afford a lot of clothes. it would be great to have an outfit easy to pick, that you don't have to feel un confident about. clothing choices are the form of alot of bullying and snide remarks. even towards those who have a huge wardrobe, comments can be directed. [ew what is she wearing etc]. it would just take away alot of negative energy in the school. i know you have to express yourself, but theres so much time out side of school that kids can express themselves.. why keep the no dress code rule.. so kids can show off to eachother? so many kids just want to wear sweats or something but won't because they're embarassed. nobody wants to make that much of an effort every day, but they do because they have competition, or they can't let people think they look bad even for one day. leave the dressing up to special occasions, school shouldnt require your best outfits.. nor should kids be made fun of for not having somethng different to wear every single day. this is also a waste of money and pressure on the parents because kids feel like they need to wear something different every single day and become obsessed with getting more and more clothes